In a bid to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz in the 2024 Texas Senate race, Democratic Representative Colin Allred has announced his candidacy. As a former NFL player and Obama administration special assistant, Allred brings a unique background to the political arena. Allred is the third Democrat to confirm a Senate run in Texas, with former railroad commissioner Ronny Jackson calling him “too liberal” for Texas.
Despite this criticism, Allred has defended his moderate stance, citing his time in Congress and his willingness to compromise with Republicans. He has accused Cruz of being “an extremist” and has criticized him for inconsistent policies on issues such as healthcare and immigration.
Cruz, for his part, has described himself as an unabashed Constitutional conservative and has positioned himself as a defender of law and order. He has stated that Democrats have “turned to a far-left radical,” and has pledged to fight against their policies.
The race between Allred and Cruz is expected to be intensely competitive. A Democrat has not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994, and Cruz has been a prominent figure in the Republican Party for many years. However, Allred’s background as a civil rights lawyer and his advocacy for healthcare and veteran care may help him appeal to a wide range of voters.
Allred has also been vocal in his criticism of Cruz’s handling of the Capitol riot on 6 January. In his campaign announcement, he released a video that showed footage of the riot and accused Cruz of having contributed to the situation by “winding up the mob.” Cruz has defended his actions, stating that he did not incite violence and calling the accusations against him “ridiculous.”
Overall, the 2024 Texas Senate race between Colin Allred and Ted Cruz promises to be a closely watched and highly competitive contest. With their differing ideologies and unique backgrounds, the candidates will offer voters a clear choice in the direction they want their state to take.
